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Deck Officer Tan Chin Woo’s early career was rooted firmly on land.
With a degree in marketing, he started as an administrative executive at a design agency. He later progressed to project management roles at an events company. Eager for new challenges, he spent a year as a probationary air traffic control officer.
But something felt amiss...
“Pretty much every day in the office was dreadful,” he admits. “I couldn’t see myself doing it for the long term.”
The turning point came at a maritime job fair where he found himself drifting towards the Wavelink Maritime Institute (WMI) booth — lured, he laughs, by the food they were serving there. “I can’t even remember what it was exactly — maybe churros,” he says. That moment of chance led to a conversation that would change the course of his life.
Thanks to the WMI’s orientation programme, convincing his family was easier. “It’s like a ‘family date’. They invite you to bring your family members along, and they give an introduction to the course and the industry. That helped my parents understand what I was committing to.”
What remained in his mother’s mind, however, was the salary. “She saw the poster showing how much captains earn. That’s the only thing she remembers to this day!”
His parents, reassured by WMI, supported his decision. “That session helped them understand what I was committing to. The salary figure on the poster didn’t hurt either,” he jokes.
His friends, however, were sceptical. “Some said I was crazy to leave a steady career for this. But it’s my life, not theirs.”
Looking back, he notices some threads of continuity. “I’ve been active in water sports, so in a sense, I’ve been drawn to the water since I was young. But I didn’t expect it to be on such a scale.”
Today, at 35, Chin Woo is a Deck Officer with a Certificate of Competency Class 3 (CoC 3), sailing onboard Pacific International Lines (PIL) container ships across the world’s oceans.
He remembers that life as a cadet was demanding. The programme was packed with back-to-back exams and assessments. “You had to hit tough benchmarks or risk extra sea time,” he recalls.
What kept him going were his instructors, many of whom were seasoned captains. “They gave their time generously, staying late in the evenings to explain until we understood. Their dedication made all the difference.”
Training also challenged his early assumptions. “I thought seafaring was blue-collar, physical work. But once I came aboard, I saw how much technology drives the job today. Electronic charts, automated systems, digital records — the industry has transformed!”
Chin Woo’s first voyage was a baptism of fire. “You can study all you want, but experiencing it first-hand is another matter. Six months away from home, missing birthdays, weddings, even funerals — that’s tough.”
Rough seas added to the challenge. “Heavy rolling, sleepless nights, seasickness — every seafarer faces it. You can’t walk straight, and some people can’t eat. But you learn to cope. That’s part of the job.”
The rewards, however, are unlike any other career. “Every sunrise and sunset feels like a gift. Out in the Pacific, the sky is filled with stars you’ll never see in Singapore. Once, I experienced two New Year’s Days in a row after crossing the International Date Line. Those are moments you never forget.”
Seafaring is not only a test of endurance but also of relationships. Chin Woo is grateful for his girlfriend’s independence and support. “It’s not easy being apart for months, but she understands. That makes all the difference.”
He also credits SMOU and WMI for supporting his journey. From subsidised course fees and simulator access to welfare support and professional networking, they have offered vital assistance. “They really champion seafarers. Even after graduation, they remain there for us.”
On board, resilience is built through community. “Every ship is different — new captain, new officers, new dynamics. You have to be adaptable, learn to communicate, and find ways to work together.”
Chin Woo now mentors cadets through SMOU’s programmes, offering them candid insights. “We tell them the truth — the challenges and the opportunities. It’s not about scaring them, but helping them prepare.”
Chin Woo’s message to aspiring seafarers is clear and straightforward: “Don’t come in just to ‘try.’ This career demands full commitment. If you’re all in, it will be tough, but meaningful. And when you finally earn your officer’s stripes, you’ll know it was worth it.”
He remains focused on doing his best for now, working towards his CoC Class 2 and eventually Class 1 certification. “I take things one step at a time.”
When asked what would most improve seafarers’ lives, Chin Woo answers without hesitation: connectivity. “When I was a cadet, it cost USD 18 for a 10-minute call. Now, with mandatory onboard Wi-Fi, I can video call home. It doesn’t replace being there, but it bridges the gap.”
Other improvements — better food, funds for welfare items like gym equipment — also matter. “Morale is important. Even small steps go a long way when you’re away for months.”
Chin Woo’s story demonstrates how chance moments, such as the ‘bait’ of free snacks at a job fair, can lead to life-changing journeys.
“Out at sea, you realise not everything is within your control. That realisation is strangely liberating,” he reflects. “You just focus on what you can do, and you keep going.”
In charting his own path, Chin Woo has found more than a career — he has gained the resilience, humility, and openness to change that carry him forward, both as a seafarer and as a person.
Interested in a seafaring career? Click here to find out more!
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